News

The official opening of Denmark’s new Roskilde Bridge has been carried out. The structure has been named Crown Princess Mary´s Bridge. The 1.3km structure is the first cantilevered bridge to be built in Denmark since 1970. Construction took 36 months and the work was completed three months ahead of schedule. The project posed some challenges to the engineers and designers as the construction work was subject to environmental restrictions. Because it lies close to a residential area and a summerhouse area,

A series of tenders are opening for Vietnam’s landmark North-South Expressway project. Eight sections of the route are being opened for bidding, with these being planned under the build-operate-transfer model. Financing for these eight stretches will be provided by a combination of bank loans, private investors and government funding. The winning bids should be revealed in early 2020. In all the North-South Expressway is expected to cost nearly US$4.3 billion.

Road widening work is being planned on the route connecting Costa Rican capital San Jose with nearby Cartago. The work is intended to cut congestion on the route, which suffers from delays at peak periods. In all the project is expected to cost US$400 million. The work is being carried out by local contractor Meco, which is now starting with a feasibility study and drawing up preliminary plans. The route will be tolled but the Costa Rican Government says it will ensure that the tolls are kept to a low level

Plans are in hand to upgrade the historic Lanchid Bridge and Varalgut Tunnel in Hungary’s capital, Budapest. However a shortage of available funds means that the improvement works to the tunnel may have to be delayed. Should it prove the case that funds are insufficient to meet the necessary costs, the work to the bridge will be prioritised. Rebuilding both the Lanchid Bridge and Varalgut Tunnel could cost from €104.64 million to €107.7 million according to estimates. The bridge work alone could cost as muc

Two major new bridge projects are being planned in Russia. One bridge will span the Volga River, the other will span the Yenisei River in Siberia.

The UK Government has announced transport infrastructure spending plans worth £25 billion. This will be directed towards a series of road upgrades across England and Wales. Key projects expected to be fast-tracked for development include the construction of the A46 bypass around Newark and a new road link connecting the university cities of Cambridge and Oxford. A new link between the M54 motorway and northbound M6 motorway are being considered, as are upgrades to the A38, A 428 and A34.

Cleveland Bridge UK reports healthy results for the fourth consecutive year. The firm’s strong profits are said to add further strength to its balance sheet and it is continuing to develop its order book with new projects. Despite uncertainty in the UK construction sector due to Brexit, the Darlington-based company achieved a turnover of £37 million for its financial year ending 31st December 2018, with an operating profit of £1.2 million and an improving balance sheet. Cleveland Bridge continued to grow

Construction work is underway for a new bridge forming part of the S3 expressway in Poland. The second bridge at Cigacice is close to completion and is in the Lubuskie Voivodeship, Poland. The S3 route represents a major construction project for Poland with work ongoing for the stretch connecting Sulechów and Nowa Sól. This section includes building a new bridge spanning the Odra River at Cigacice is being built. This bridge is built from either side of the river and now is almost connected and is expected

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the US has repealed a 103-year-old federal procurement rule.

The news that former French president, Jacques Chirac, has died aged 86 should be of note for those in the road safety sector. His political legacy is well known. Chirac was prime minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and again from 1986 to 1988, mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995 and finally president from 1995 to 2007. But his political reputation ended under a cloud following his suspended sentence on corruption charges. Perhaps less well widely known however is that Chirac had a tremendously beneficial e

One of the world’s most famous road crossings is benefiting from an upgrade, on a key anniversary.

This year’s European Day Without A Road Death (Project EDWARD) takes place today, emphasising a theme of vulnerability. It is organised by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL), which offers a somewhat pessimistic view of the state of play. “We have spent time reflecting on recent results which paint a very mixed picture of progress in reducing deaths and serious injuries on Europe’s roads,” TISPOL says in a statement. “For the first few years of this decade, countries across the EU have been highly

The construction schedule has been set for Russia’s Moscow to Kazan highway project. The project is now expected to cost US$3.75 billion, with the route forming part of the highway connecting Western Europe with China. The stretches connecting Moscow with Vladimir and Kanash with Kazan should be ready for traffic in late 2024. The stretches linking Vladimir with Murom and Murom with Arzamas are due for completion in 2025. The stretches from Arzamas to Kanash should be ready in 2027.